Whatever may have been his intended course of action, he was at last compelled to abandon it.
Strain and tug3 as he would at the cords that bound his arms, they remained intact, nor could his ingenuity4 devise any way of releasing himself from their hold. Though hastily tied, the knots had been put there to stay, and Clif at last realized that it was a hopeless task to try to undo5 them.
But though he could not free his arms and legs, he could use his eyes, and the scene was one thrilling enough to rivet6 his attention.
The fast moving steamer, urged to its utmost speed, the exclamations7 of hope and fear among its crew, the more majestically8 moving flagship whose deficiencies of speed were more than atoned9 for by the range of her guns, suggested possibilities to one in Clif's position that might well set one's heart to beating wildly.
If the steamer should escape by reason of superior speed, it would bring joy to the crew, but disaster to Clif, their helpless prisoner. If, on the other hand, a shot from the flagship should sink the Spanish boat, Clif perforce would share death with them. Little wonder that brave as he was, he struggled anxiously to free his arms and legs from their bonds.
"The New York can never catch us," he exclaimed, when he had settled down to watching the flagship as best he could. "She is too far away, and this boat is too fast."
There was little need of the searchlight now, as dawn was approaching. The forms of the ships could be distinguished10 in the uncertain light without its aid.
Clif had been watching the flagship which was astern, but now, looking forward, he saw a beam of light in that direction. It was several miles out to sea, and shot across their path.
"That must be the Wilmington," he exclaimed, cheered by a suddenly revived hope. "She can cut across our path, and all may yet be well."
He looked back at the flagship and saw the red and the blue signal lights flashing their message to the ship ahead which was, as Clif surmised11, the Wilmington. They also carried a message to Clif, nor was their meaning lost upon the Spanish crew.
"They have signaled the Wilmington to intercept12 her," exclaimed Clif. "But it will be a close race."
He heard the signal from the excited captain of the Spanish boat for more speed, and the throbbing13 of the machinery14 told that they were endeavoring in the engine rooms to carry out the order. It seemed as if the engines were already doing their utmost, but Clif could notice a slight increase in the headway they were making.
It was a fast boat and no mistake, Clif thought, as he anxiously strained his eyes to see what the Wilmington was doing.
Answering signals told that she had received the order from the flagship, and that those orders would be obeyed. Clif fervently15 hoped that she would be successful. He hated to think of the possibility of a hostile ship succeeding in running the blockade, and now this patriotic16 impulse was heightened by the fact that he was a helpless prisoner on board the very boat that promised to accomplish that feat17.
For, as he watched the race, there was a growing conviction in Clif's mind that the Wilmington was so far out to sea that she could not hope to stop the Spanish steamer except by the power of her guns. And a hole in the side of the enemy's vessel18, however desirable under ordinary circumstances, did not coincide with his hopes or ideas on this occasion. He had no desire to share a watery19 grave with his captors.
The two boats were heading for the same point, the Wilmington seeking to block the path the other was following. One of her guns spoke20 out, but the shot fell short. She was not in range.
Clif breathlessly watched the pursuing craft whose success meant so much to him. Could she win?
The Spaniards shared his excitement, and watched their opponent with fully22 as much eagerness. At last they broke out into a cheer.
Clif was not slow to understand its import. The Spanish boat was making really a phenomenal run, and had reached a point where it was evident that if they maintained their speed they would soon be past the dangerous line. That once reached they could show the Yankee boat a clean pair of heels.
Clif's spirits fell when he realized that the Spaniards had good cause for their jubilation23. There was no doubt now that the steamer could pass the danger line and then away.
The Wilmington, too, seemed to realize that there was no hope of catching24 up with the other vessel, for now the cannon25 boomed out in rapid succession. They were rapidly drawing nearer and within range.
A shot swept across the Spaniard's bows, but on she went. Then another struck the bridge upon which the captain stood glass in hand, and he had a narrow escape from flying splinters. But the goal was too near for them to stop, and he signaled for more steam.
Clif could not but admire this officer's pluck. Under other circumstances, he would have said that the Spaniard deserved to win.
The vessel seemed to struggle to do what was demanded of her, and sped on. Another shot from the Wilmington rattled26 across her bows, but the crew answered with a cheer. Five minutes more and they would be round the point and then——
What would happen then was never to be known. Suddenly a loud explosion was heard from below, and the whole frame of the steamer shook from end to end. Men rushed on deck in a panic, and wildly proclaimed the cause.
A steam pipe, urged beyond its strength, had exploded, carrying destruction with it. The race was lost, and the captain promptly27 hauled down his flag.
But as he did so, he gave orders to steer28 toward the land, and the steamer came to a standstill not far from the shore.
The Spanish army officer carrying the dispatches entered a boat that was quickly lowered and when the prize crew from the Wilmington boarded the steamer he was safe upon land and his escape was assured.
When the officer in charge of the prize crew had finished the formalities, Clif attracted his attention. The cadet had apparently29 been forgotten by his captors in the excitement of the chase and the calamity30 that had come upon them. The American officer was astonished beyond measure to find one wearing the familiar uniform in such a plight31 on that boat.
"Why, Mr. Faraday," he exclaimed upon learning Clif's identity, and having released him from his bonds, "we were not aware that they had an American on board as a prisoner."
"I thought not, from the way you were firing at us," said Clif, with a smile. "I thought more than once that you would send this particular American to the bottom along with the shipload of the enemy. You were firing too accurately32 to suit me this time."
"Well, the American boys do come pretty near hitting what they aim at," responded the officer, evidently pleased at the compliment to their marksmanship. "But I am curious to know how it has happened that we find you here."
Clif then briefly33 told of the adventures that followed his finding of the unexploded shell, which he picked up from its lodgment in the boat and held in his hand.
"So you have risked your life for that piece of steel!" exclaimed the officer. "What can have been your purpose in that?"
"Does it not strike you, sir, that there is something peculiar34 about it?" asked Clif, as the other examined it.
"Yes," replied the officer, "it is decidedly out of date, and might be interesting as a relic35, but not of sufficient importance to risk one's life for."
"I had an idea that there was a mystery about it that was well worth solving," replied Clif. "And with your permission, sir, I will put the matter to a test."
"As you like," responded the officer, with the air of a man who is indulging some childish fancy.
Clif was not slow to take advantage of the permission granted, and carried the shell to a table that stood upon the after deck, the officer meantime paying no further attention to him, but attending to some further detail of transfer.
Clif had procured36 a fuse and inserted it into the shell and was upon the point of lighting37 it when the officer appeared.
"Stop, sir!" he commanded. "Would you blow us all to destruction?"
Others standing38 near made a move as if to stop Clif, but it was too late. The fuse was burning rapidly.
With a cry of alarm and amazement39, the officers, American as well as Spanish, sprang to one side and dodged40 in great fright.
But Clif calmly stood by, his arms folded and a confident smile playing about his lips.
He was putting his theory to the test.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
projectiles
|
|
| n.抛射体( projectile的名词复数 )；（炮弹、子弹等）射弹，（火箭等）自动推进的武器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
tug
|
|
| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
ingenuity
|
|
| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
undo
|
|
| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
rivet
|
|
| n.铆钉；vt.铆接，铆牢；集中(目光或注意力) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
exclamations
|
|
| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
majestically
|
|
| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
atoned
|
|
| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的过去式和过去分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
surmised
|
|
| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
intercept
|
|
| vt.拦截，截住，截击 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
throbbing
|
|
| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
machinery
|
|
| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
fervently
|
|
| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
patriotic
|
|
| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
feat
|
|
| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
watery
|
|
| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
vessels
|
|
| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
jubilation
|
|
| n.欢庆，喜悦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
cannon
|
|
| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
rattled
|
|
| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
steer
|
|
| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
calamity
|
|
| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
plight
|
|
| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
accurately
|
|
| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
briefly
|
|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
relic
|
|
| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
procured
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
dodged
|
|
| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |